Putting the 'express' back in the Staten Island Expressway

Advance file photoNow that federal funds earmarked for the Staten Island Expressway are available, the traffic that routinely backs up at Bradley Avenue could become a thing of the past.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The stalemate is over.

After a months-long impasse, the city and state departments of transportation have come to terms over using federal stimulus money to extend the HOV/bus lanes along the expressway, and add additional lanes to the traffic-clogged thoroughfare, according to Rep. Michael E. McMahon and Councilman James Oddo and city and state DOT officials.

That means a green light as early as next spring for a three-phase, multi-million dollar project that looks to tackle the expressway's "Bradley Avenue backup" phenomenon, and add fourth lanes to most of the highway between the toll plaza of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and Bradley.

OTHER IMPROVEMENTS

The project also includes adding six entrance and exit ramps, widening four overpasses, realigning and leveling a section through Sunnyside to remove the road's sharpest and steepest curves, as well as demolishing the unused overpasses that would have connected the expressway to a never-built section of highway at one point planned to pass through the Greenbelt.

The project stalled in July when city Department of Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan withheld her approval -- which is essential -- in a disagreement over funding allocations. The city claims the state owes $400 million in federal funding to cover local projects. Without reimbursement, future city projects could be cut.

Last week, though, that approval came through.

"Staten Islanders already pay a high enough premium on their transportation network, so we're pleased that the state has recognized our shared transportation goals here and across the city. This negotiation means $550 million in transportation funding for New York City that will also allow critically needed Staten Island Ferry projects to move forward," Ms. Sadik-Khan said last night.

The borough's entire delegation of elected officials had signed on to a letter penned by McMahon earlier this month to Ms. Sadik-Khan urging both sides to come to an agreement.

The project, McMahon said, "will make a major difference in the quality of life for all residents and commuters on Staten Island.

Said McMahon in a written statement, "Staten Island can't move forward in the future if we are stuck in park. This project will put the 'express' back into the expressway. I have worked closely with my former colleague on the City Council James Oddo (R-Staten Island) and commend the hard work by the NYC DOT and NY State DOT to start work on this critical effort."

Oddo issued similar praise in a written statement.

"I guess Congressman McMahon and I can now come in from the ledge. Congressman McMahon and I put a lot of time and energy into getting help for the Staten Island Expressway, and we are relieved nothing will stand in the way of delivering these much needed improvements to Staten Island," he said.